The Pope is coming.....

[Hrhpd]

edit - weird double post

 

[DisneyPrince1982]

He's already there. He has done more good uniting people in 2 years that the others did in decades.

Relenting on homosexuality being a sin doesn't automatically mean he's the greatest pope ever.

 

[Hrhpd]

As am I. Pope Francis has been Pope for a little more than 2 years. He has a long way to go, a long way to go.

Relenting on homosexuality being a sin doesn't automatically mean he's the greatest pope ever.

I believe that would be a matter of your opinion, not a statement of fact. My opinion is also that he is the best Pope ever. I may not be a practicing Catholic anymore, but I do keep up with things. He has done more positive things for the religion in his two years than others have done in their 20+ years. I cannot imagine this Pope covering up years of Priest Pedophilia like his predecessors. Of course, time will tell if my imagination is wrong. That said, I am excited to see where the Pope takes the Catholic religion during his remaining years.

I particularly like his views on science, more specifically the big bang theory and evolution.

 

[lovemygoofy]

Relenting on homosexuality being a sin doesn't automatically mean he's the greatest pope ever.

For me personally, it much more than just the topic of homosexuality. This is about showing how to unite and show love and tolerance. Something that many in all churches have forgotten.
This Pope also reminds us that as Christians we have a duty to make this world better and that isn't just showing up and throwing some cash in the plate on Sundays. He is showing himself to be a leader and a uniter, which in this day and age is very very difficult to find anywhere.

 

[cabanafrau]

I'm not a Catholic, but I both admire and appreciate his stance on humility. That's a trait that is both lacking and valuable to all of humanity, no matter your race or creed. If we were all a little more humble with our fellow man it might help eliminate some conflict.

 

[Missy1961]

I am in Philly too and my husband just started mandatory 12+ hour shifts for the next 5 days, or so we thought. He was supposed to be on vacation starting Monday but was just told mandatory shifts were extended to Monday night. I leave for Disney on Monday morning and he was my ride. I have been worried about how early we need to leave for the airport as the ONLY road open is I-95. Now I have to worry about finding a ride at 5 AM. He did promise to get a sheriff's van and take me lights and sirens if he has to do that though. Great way to start off my Disney trip.

I don't get all the road closures and shutting the whole city down though. Pope John Paull II was here in 1979 and there was none of this. I even managed to get a glimpse of him in the motorcade since I worked in the area. Now I am hibernating til Monday and hoping I have no issues getting away.

Well, the world is different than in 1979. So security is different.

 

[Rhombus]

:




Not sure if they plan on giving water away or selling it

I don't know about those particular pallets of water, but one of the news stations said Wawa would be giving away free water at the locations where the public is welcome to see the Pope. Still have to buy the water in Center City store locations, however.

My daughter's college in Philly cancelled classes on Friday. We're actually bringing her home for the weekend.

If you don't mind answering, what college? DD attends Drexel, and her classes are postponed on Friday and Monday. They're tacking the days on at the end of the quarter. She's getting outta Dodge for the weekend too and coming home. Perfect timing, she can take care of the pets while partner and I are away.

 

[Rhombus]

I'm getting out of Dodge for the weekend, but I need to go INTO Dodge to escape it. Flying out of Philly Friday evening, returning Monday evening. But it's sheer coincidence. We're not leaving because of the Pope's visit. This is for that cancelled wedding. I'm sure the jilted bride had no idea of the Pope's schedule when she picked the date. Even when we decided to attend, we weren't aware that the dates coincided with the Papal visit.

There are all kinds of scare stories about traffic nightmares. I'm predicting we'll have pretty smooth sailing getting to the airport. But just in case, we're planning as if our flight departs at 4pm rather than 630pm.

 

[Christine]

Relenting on homosexuality being a sin doesn't automatically mean he's the greatest pope ever.

That hadn't even occurred to me. I think he has a much more welcoming, inclusive attitude to everyone and he seems to truly walk-the-walk.

 

[DopeyDame]

Cherry hill area...my dad is in a bike club and usually their Saturday rides start out of palmyra. The bike club states this is all over hyped. I will err on the side of caution as huge crowds like this will send me over the edge. We are born and raised Catholic and you couldn't pay me to be near any of this.

I'm actually thinking so many people will be scared off that it won't be nearly as crazy as expected. As of 9am this morning, the DC metro ridership was down 14% from last Wednesday morning. Security getting into the parade route was going smoothly. All in all, (fingers crossed, Hail Mary's said!) DC seems to be going well and not too crazy. Hopefully it's the same in Philly.

 

[tazdev3225]

Well, the world is different than in 1979. So security is different.

Yes and no. Don't forget Pope John Paul II was shot in an assassination attempt.

 

[Christine]

I'm actually thinking so many people will be scared off that it won't be nearly as crazy as expected. As of 9am this morning, the DC metro ridership was down 14% from last Wednesday morning. Security getting into the parade route was going smoothly. All in all, (fingers crossed, Hail Mary's said!) DC seems to be going well and not too crazy. Hopefully it's the same in Philly.

Granted, I go to work early, but it was smooth sailing all the way in with no difficulties getting around. Of course, that is the direct result of telling everyone to stay home, but even the people coming in to see the Pope didn't cause any issues. Now, the afternoon ride might be a different story.

 

[ckay87]

Not sure if you realize..it's not just the Pope in town going to Madison Sq Garden and going through a Sea of people in Central Park, plus the POTUS will be here as well as the UN general assembly is happening with hundreds of other World leaders all converging in NYC At the same time..Security and traffic is at its HIGHEST level since Post 9/11. Driving impossible but the subways will be jam packed as NYers go to method of transport. Good luck, enjoy and wish I was sardined so I could see the Pope in person.

I checked the schedule and I feel like I'm going to bypass most of the action. Pope and I arrive in NYC at the same time on Thursday, but he's heading uptown to St. Patricks and I'm heading downtown to Irving Plaza. Then I'm getting out of Dod.... town

Same thing on Saturday and Sunday for me. Going to concerts just outside of Philly. Accidental Pope chasing, that's what I'm doing evidently, haha.

 

[NewRVLady]

Ckay LOL
So strange your plans have you in both cities he is in!
The only big famous person I saw up close was JFK in an open convertible in New Orleans - I remember we all waved tiny flags and waved

 

[FlightlessDuck]

If you don't mind answering, what college?

Temple. I believe they are open Monday.

 

[EMom]

The Pope is coming, Im out of here, I want no part of this... inferring that you dont want him here, that you dont want to be where he is

If you had even made one reference to traffic and commuting then the context would have been different.

No need for the OP to explain the obvious. It's not as if they thought they were going to get cooties from the Pope.

 

[clutter]

Granted, I go to work early, but it was smooth sailing all the way in with no difficulties getting around. Of course, that is the direct result of telling everyone to stay home, but even the people coming in to see the Pope didn't cause any issues. Now, the afternoon ride might be a different story.

Our office helped! The entire office is working remotely today. Good day to get a lot of stuff done with no face-to-face interruptions.

 

[msjprincess]

Yes and no. Don't forget Pope John Paul II was shot in an assassination attempt.

Yes, but his 1979 visit here was before he was shot. Things changed after that with more security.

 

[soccerdad72]

Our office helped! The entire office is working remotely today. Good day to get a lot of stuff done with no face-to-face interruptions.

That's my plan next summer (and, I hope, our department as a whole) when the Republican National Convention rolls into town. It's going to be a nightmare in downtown Cleveland*















































* Note: Not intended as political debate

 

[Missy1961]

That's my plan next summer (and, I hope, our department as a whole) when the Republican National Convention rolls into town. It's going to be a nightmare in downtown Cleveland*















































* Note: Not intended as political debate

Trust me, I get it. Like I said before, I worked in NYC during the 2004 RNC - and it was hell. I wish we could have worked remotely. Good plan, and stick to it!